, 1887-08-27
The Diffusion Plant.
A VISIT TO THE GOVERNMENT SUGAR
HOUSE AT MAGNOLIA PLANTATION.
(From the Louisiana Sugar. oaol.)

amining anil receiving an explanation of
the machinery now being erected on ex-
Gov. Fl. q. Warlhoth's Magnolia planta-
ton, in Plaquemiaes parish, by the U. s.
Government, to practically test the difu-
sion process with tropical cane, with the
latest improved appliances. We found Mr..
g. L. Spencer, chemist, and Mr.. r. G.
Barthelemy, Superintendent, actively at
work with a full force of mechanics and
Iaborers, and to those gentlemen and to Mr..
Johu s.. Ralstin, postmaster, are we in
debted for many attentions and cOurteSies.
THE MAGNITUDE OF THE WORE
can be better realized, wien we state that
about tiCentyJ 5Ue car loads Of material, in
Guiding machinery and building stock, have
already been put in place, and the equiva-
lent of several Car loads more arrived this
week. The Government work is now nearly
complete, and next week the OalwelI Iron
Works, (whO nave the contract for. build
ing and putting up the diffusion battery,)
will probably complete it's erection, as
they sent their own men for the purpose,
under the personal supervision OF Mr..
Calwell, Jr. Hence there can be
NO DoUBT. ABOUT BEING READY IN TIME,
Notwithstanding the predictions of some.
OONsE w dILuUbn LIGROI 6UStt Ia HlS NIT uIltAt
November, as his location exemptS him
from early freezes, but it is the intention
of the management of the diffusion expert
memt to make aFrun in the latter part of
October, having guaranteed the Governor
as much sugar, even then, ms he can get by
his mill extraction, and if the experiment
succeeds as we'll as all hope, the whole crop
will be taken off by the diffusion process,
except II mill run, which may he made to
test the relative value of the two systems.
A SEPARATE BUILDING
has been erected, for the reception of the
diffusion machinery, In order that there
MAY be no interference between the two
processes, which will be given the best
possible comparative test. The Govern
ment diffusion sugar house is an imposing
structure, q substantial tw04Story frame,
65x44 feet in dimensions, &c feet TO the
caves and IS feet to the peak of the roof.
Ii is situated between the cane shed and
bone black house of Gov. WarmOtlls es.
Establishment, and fl S in so nicely that it
appears to have been thus designed when
Magnolia sugar house waS first built. It
has u corrugated iron roof, with a vehtila-
tor, and, after all the heavy machinery is
erected, will be supplied with "a concrete
lower floor.
THE DIFFUSION BATTERY
will be located in the south, or lower end
0s the building. These diffusOrs, twelve
in number, arrived from New York, per
Morgan steamships, this. week, and by this
time have probably been sent ON lighters
down to the plantation, together with the
German care cutting machine and three
more German filter presSes-three of the
latter and all other machinery for this expe
rimental plant being already on the ground
and mostly erected. The diffuSors, or recep-
tacles for the cane chips, are six feet three
inches high and three feet eight inches in
diameter, and hold SO cubic feet each.
The wholeqtwelve will be located in a cir
Gle of about 80 feet in diameter, hung from
iron beams, supported at one end by a
centre pier and at the other by iron pillars
resting on brick foundations i'm the circle.
Tie center pier is Is feet high, which al
lows room ior men' to pass beneath the
diffusOrs to discharge the chips when ex-
hausted of their saccllarine matter.
THE HORIZONTAL CANE CUTTERS,
six in number, will be located under AN
adjoining she'd, and are to be- propelled
By q 20 horse power engine i'm the main
building, although that much power will
never be required. To place the six chop.
pers for the reception Of the cane within
easy reach of the men who feed the cane.